Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-17
cation and construction OF telegraph lines
prsvided for by the act.


THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT.
The bill introduced by Senator Cullom
to-day to amend the Interstate Commerce
act embodies the most important sugges-
tions that have been made for the correc-
ton OF the defects in law including the
recommendations of the Commissioners.
The amendments are voluminous and
minute in legal form. The following is a
synopsis of the more important provi-
sions:
First-To extend the provisions OF the act
SO as to make it apply to express. sleeping
car, stock car and tank car companies
and other companies. associations or
persons furnishing for public use upon rail-
road cars and other instrumentalities for
transportation Of persons or property"
Second-The words "other carriers are
inserted twice in the fifth section SO as to
prohibit pooling between different railroads
and other carriers.
Third-In the sixth section which relates
to publication OF rates, the provisions with
respect to advance and reduction in rates
are repealed SO as to apply specifically to
joint through rates. The short haul pro-
vision is also repealed in that there shall be
no question that it also applies to joint
through rates.
Fourth-As to the short haul provision,
it is provided that where complaint is made
against two or more carriers for violating
it, and q violation occurs between points
on the road OF one only, that only shall be
held liable for the violation.
Fiith-The commission is authorized to
prescribe a form in which the schedule
shall be prepared or arranged. No special
form ia cOmnriged in the law
Sixth-The Commission is authorized to
make provisions for the official publica-
ton of it's decisions.
Seventh-An addition to section Is,
which relates to compensation for dam
ages, is proposed to effect that when the
complainant is a seeker to recover dam
ages, the carrier may file with the com-
mission its consent that the commission
may pass on the question of damages,
and in such case the carrier shall be bound
by the decision of the commission, and the
decision of the commission shall stand as
a judgment which may be enforced
by execution by United States marshals in
the same manner as judgments of the
United States Circuit Court are enforced. In
case such assent is not filed the commits
sion may investigate and report the subject
OF damages, and if it shall report that the
complainant has suffered damages to a
specified amount, it may name a time for
the payment of such damages. and if the
carrier shall make payment within the time
named the sum shall be in full satisfaction
OF any claim complainant may have under
the act in respect of the grievances
complained of; but if such agreement isnot
made the complainant may proceed in any
United States court of competent jurisdic-
ton to recove damages for the wrong sui
foroI md c,,oh rroooalsrno En1Snn ond 70.
port OF the commission, shall be prima ia
Gle evidence OF the facts found. Provision
is also made to take the commission out of
the jurisdiction OF the Interior Department
and make it Independent and report direct
to Congress as recommended by the Secre-
tary of the Interior.
There>are some other minor changes, but
these are the most important ones. i,
ILLEGALLY PATENTED.
In response to the resolution of inquiry
the Commissioner of Agriculture to-day
sent a communication to the Senate that
a patent had been granted to Prof. Sven.
son for an improvement in the different
processes OF making sugar, which improve
ment the commissioner believes was dis
covered by Prof. Svenson while in Govern
ment employ while making experiments
with the peoples money Tor the beneht OF
the people. He had protested to the Com
missioner OF Patents against granting the
patent, but was informed that the patent
had already. been granted.
IN FAVOR OF FAULKNER.
The Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions devoted several hours today to the
West Virginia contested election cases.
Both contestants addressed the committee
and both submitted printed briefs. The
committee discussed the matter for an
hour and determined unanimously to re-
port in favor OF Mr.. Faulkner's title to the
vacant seat.
TEXAS PACIFIC LANDS.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Teller to-day
declares that the price OF public lands
within the limits OF the grant to the Texas
Pacific Railroad from Ell Paso to San
Diego, shall be the minimum price of pub
lie lands. It also authorizes the refund.
ing of sums in excess of $1.25 per acre
paid by settlers on these lands because of
their being within the limits Of the grant.
Mr.. Cullom's bill to equalize the rate OF
pensions fixes the pension for loss OF sight
or disability requiring regular attendance,
at $72 per month.
POstmasters in Convention.